Branham Hills Girls Softball

 

Branham Hills Girls Softball is a community based softball league established for girls age 5-14. We are committed to giving any girl, regardless of race, color,  creed, financial situation or athletic ability, the freedom to participate in recreational softball. We are a nonprofit organization run entirely by volunteers. We are affiliated with ASA, The Amateur Softball Association, and play under their rules.

 

When is the season?

The rec league season runs from the beginning of February and ends before Memorial Day weekend. Opening Day Ceremony is usually the first part of March. Closing Ceremony is yet to be determined.  We need someone to chair this event.

 

What are the family commitments?

Each family is required to volunteer their time in some manner over the course of the season. Each team has a volunteer Coach, Asst. Coach and Manager, one of these must be a female, and present at all practices and games.  One team chaperone must also be present to escort girls to the restrooms if needed. The rest of the parents are required to work a snack shack shift over the course of the season( games or opening day). Additional helpers for your team are needed for scorekeeping (10U and older), setting up fields, and putting away equipment after games.  Lastly each team is asked to obtain a team sponsor(s) of at least $300 per team.

 

At what level or division will my daughter be assigned?

The age of your daughter, as of January 1st of the playing season, determines the division she will be assigned.

 

What is required of me if I want to be a coach, asst. coach or manager of a team?

If you are chosen to be a coach, asst. coach or manager you must:

Become ACE certified.  

Attend coach clinic at Cutting Edge facility.  At least one per team

Attend coach pitching clinic. At least one per team at Alta Vista

            Coach clinics paid for by BHGS, please take advantage of these clinics

Attend pre season meeting held by Division Rep.

Help team with Hit A Thon session.

 

Divisions and the guideline rules they follow.

 

6U T-ball  Age 5-6 

Play Monday evenings and Saturday mornings 8:45am.

Rules-

            11 inch soft safety ball, ( fabric covered ball)

            40 foot base distance

            No score is kept

            Everyone bats & plays in the field every inning.

            One hour, or three innings concludes a game.

            A tee is used for all players for the first three games at least, or longer.

            When coach pitch begins, each girl is given 5 pitches, then will hit off tee if                                     needed.

            Players are placed on teams with friends.

            Parents are encouraged to participate in practices and games.

            The team staff consists of parent volunteers,  head Coach, asst. coach and             manager.

Equipment needed-

            Glove, Black pants or black shorts, cleats or tennis shoes.  Bat and helmets             are provided in the team bag to share, but you are welcome to bring your own too.

 

 

8U Age 7-8

Play Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings at 10:00 am

Rules-

            11 inch incrediball soft touch ball used ( synthetic leather covering)

            50 foot base distance, 32 foot pitching distance

            3 Strikes and you are out- 3 outs ends a half inning.

            No score is kept

            No new inning after 1 hour 15 min, or 4 innings concludes a game.

            Focuses on skill building and fun.

            Players pitch, 5 week pitching clinics offered by league, NEW THIS YEAR,                         sign  up required.  first come first serve basis.

            No walks, coach pitch in place of a walk

            Players are placed on teams with friends

Equipment needed-

            Glove, Black pants or black shorts, cleats.  Bat and helmets are provided in the team bag to share, but you are welcome to bring your own too. If you purchase your own helmet it must have a face mask and NOCSAE certified and bats must be ASA certified.

 

 

10U Age 9-10

Play Tuesday Evenings and Saturdays late morning/early afternoons

One additional practice per week once games begin. No set schedule for practice.

Rules-

            3 Strikes and you are out- 3 outs ends a half inning

            10 players play the field

            No new inning after 1 hour 20 mins, or 5 innings concludes a game

            Players pitch, coach pitch if walk results in player going home.

            Pitching clinics offered by league, NEW THIS YEAR, 5 week session. Sign up              required  available on first come first serve basis.

            All girls play, subs are rotated in

            The score and team standing are kept

            Base stealing and sliding are introduced and encouraged

            Players are placed on a team through an evaluation system.

Equipment needed-

            Glove, black pants or shorts, padded sliding shorts to wear under pants or shorts, sliding pads for knees or full leg protection. (for one, or both legs), cleats. Bat and helmets are provided in the team bag to share, but you are welcome to bring your own too. If you purchase your own helmet it must have a face mask and NOCSAE certified, and bats must be ASA certified.

 

12U, Age 11-12

Play Thursday Evenings and Saturdays afternoons, Some travel to play interleague games. One additional practice per week once games begin. No set schedule

Rules-

            3 Strikes and you are out- 3 outs ends a half inning

            10 players play the field

            Coach will substitute players at his or her discretion, everyone plays at least             2 innings

            No new inning after 1 hour 30 mins, or 5 innings concludes a game

            The score and team standing are kept

            This division include stealing, and dropped 3rd strike.

            Players are placed on a team through an evaluation

            Pitching clinics offered by league, NEW THIS YEAR, 5 week session. Sign up              required available on first come first serve basis.

 

14U, Age 13-14

Play Monday Evenings and Saturdays afternoons, Will travel to play interleague games. One additional practice per week once games begin. No set schedule

Rules-

            Same as 12U division            

            Game time, no new inning after 1 hour 40 min

 

 

Thunder Summer/Fall Teams

BHGS has a summer/fall travel softball program that is very competitive ( B Team travel softball).  This division is more competitive than rec ball, and plays from May - July for the summer, and Aug-Oct for the fall.  Teams are selected based on try outs.

 

Where does BHGS Play?

Practices and games are at Alta Vista Elementary school at 200 Blossom Valley Drive Los Gatos.  Some of the upper divisions ( 12U and 14U) play at Alta Vista and also travel to other fields throughout Silicon Valley for games.

 

How do I know which team my child will be on?

In late January a team staff member will contact you to welcome you to their team. You will be informed of the first team meeting and practice.  6U and 8U division meet at the donut social scheduled February 4th at Alta Vista. Other divisions will meet for their first practice February 4th also.

 

What if it is raining on the day of my practice or game?

Check website for field status.  www.bhgs.net

 

Who do I contact if I need information?

E-mail Vice President Kelly Dierkes   mom2apairplus1@sbcglobal.net

Phone- Kelly Dierkes 408-371-7751

E-mail President Derek Bowers   coachderekbowers@gmail.com

Check www.bhgs.net for specific board member you would like to email

 

What does the league supply?

As part of your child's registration, she will receive:

A visor

Team Jersey

Team Socks

Individual and team photo

Participation Trophy

End of season Yearbook

Insurance- ASA Registration

Pitching Clinic from Cutting Edge:  5 week program for 8u players and older.  Players must sign up to participate.  Space is limited and spots are filled on a first-come-first-served basis.